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Season 1
Episode 1: Meet Anna and Jordan.
Anna and Jordan are a full generation apart (they think…). In this intro episode, they share their story of how they came together to bring light and love to the community living with hidden challenges. They chat about how they met, how they landed in this community, and what they want to achieve with this podcast and their lives! Listen now.
Episode 2: Community leaders lighting the way: Hawthorn Football Club.
The Hawthorn Football has social inclusion as a key pillar of their community strategy. In this interview, CEO Justin Reeves and General Manager of Foundation and Community, Kerrie Brewer join us to talk about their roles as community leaders, and the responsibility that comes with having the influence over a significant proponent of Victoria and broader Australia, and their admirable and innovative social inclusion initiatives. You can see more about these initiatives and some of the content we discuss in the show notes. Listen now.
Episode 3: Rethinking Autism: Positivity, a mother’s love and advocacy – Part 1
Chris Varney is the founder and CEO of the first-of-its-kind I CAN Network. Chris has a mind-blowing CV, including graduating law, being recognised as the Australian Youth Representative to the UN, the World Vision Australia’s Manager of Youth in 2009, and the recipient of the 2017 Supreme Court of Victoria’s Best Achievement in Human Rights Award. Chris also serves as National Patron of the Australian Association for Special Education and is on the Advisory Board of Learning Creates Australia. Listen now.
Episode 4: Expert insight : How is ASD diagnosed in the medical world and how does it impact individuals?
Dr Annie Moulden, AOM, is an expert in childhood development and neurodiverse conditions such as ASD, ADD/ADHD anxiety, as well as a number of other clinical paediatric conditions. Annie has worked with kids and their families for almost 25 years, and in this conversation she explains ASD and how it affects kids as they grow up. Annie also shares positive stories and examples of how parenting can be adjusted to support kids to thrive. See more about Annie’s amazing work in the show notes. Listen now.
Episode 5: Insight with the lot – personal experience, parenting, teaching and advocacy. Tal Spinrad. Part 1.
Tal Spinrad is a career Jewish educator and advocate for change with over three decades of experience working within all aspects of the Jewish community. Combining the passion of Ezekiel, with the humour of Mel Brooks, Tal uses both modern and traditional narratives to engage and reveal insights.In this episode, Tal shares his personal experiences of growing up with autism, as well as parenting two autistic kids. He uses his gift for story telling to paint a colourful and insightful picture to which we we can all relate. Listen now.
Episode 6: Expert insight : How has awareness and understanding of ASD changed in both schools and psychology. Deirdre Brandner
Deirdre started as a primary school teacher, and was driven to become a psychologist after seeing kids in the classroom struggling, and who were not receiving the support they needed. Deirdre has been a fully registered child psychologist (AHPRA) for over 20 years and with her interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deirdre has also sought ongoing studies in both the UK and the USA. Deirdre works with kids and their parents to understand, manage and thrive with their unique characteristics and strengths. She is often invited as a regular consultant presenter on ABC News Breakfast and guest speaker in both hospital and educational settings. Listen now.
Episode 7: Rethinking Autism: Positivity, a mother’s love and changing lives – Part 2
Chris Varney is the founder and CEO of the first-of-its-kind I CAN Network. Chris’s vision of a ‘Rethink on Autism’ is a shift from a deficits-focussed approach to a strengths-based one, and one that has touched and benefitted the lives of thousands of Autistics. In this episode we hear about how Chris made his dream of changing lives come true. Listen now.
Episode 8: Parenting : With love, protection and comedy
Rodney has been a comedian since 1991 using ‘hoaxes and jokeses’ to bring light and joy to private and public events and corporate sessions. Rodney is hilarious as well as deeply kind and caring and has a beautiful knack for exploring the human experience with both lightness and depth. In this conversation, Rodney shares the inspiring, unique and ultimately awe-inspiring journey of one of his boys, who is (though never formally diagnosed) most likely somewhere on the autism spectrum. Listen now.
Episode 9: Expert Insight: Education, communication and understanding with deep care and love
Sarah Wright started her career as a high school English teacher, and went on to become an educational psychologist. Sarah spent 16 years at a special school for children with intellectual disability and co-morbid disabilities, a place she calls her “true love”. Sarah then qualified as a clinical psychologist, and continues to work with special needs kids, as well as with parents and young adults with ‘extra zing’. Sarah is kind, funny and thoughtful and is deretmined to see the whole person, beyond any label or diagnosis. She has a beautiful gift for connecting with love, generosity and a palpable commitment to helping humans be understood, cared for and loved. Listen now.
Episode 10: Insight with the lot – personal experience, parenting, teaching and advocacy. Tal Spinrad. Part 2.
Tal Spinrad is a career Jewish educator and advocate for change with over three decades of experience working within all aspects of the Jewish community. Combining the passion of Ezekiel, with the humour of Mel Brooks, Tal uses both modern and traditional narratives to engage and reveal insights.In this episode, Tal shares his personal experiences of growing up with autism, as well as parenting two autistic kids. He uses his gift for story telling to paint a colourful and insightful picture to which we we can all relate. Listen now.
The Village Lantern- Podcast 